Systems, methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to control audio playback devices

ABSTRACT

Systems, methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to control audio playback devices are disclosed. An example audio playback device includes an audio output device to generate audio signals based on a signal source, a device interface to receive a first message from a first audio information source, and a source selector to change the signal source from a second audio information source to the first audio information source based on the first message.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosure is related to consumer electronics and, moreparticularly, to antenna configurations for wireless speakers.

BACKGROUND

Technological advancements have increased the accessibility of musiccontent, as well as other types of media, such as television content,movies, and interactive content. For example, a user can access audio,video, or both audio and video content over the Internet through anonline store, an Internet radio station, an online music service, anonline movie service, and the like, in addition to the more traditionalavenues of accessing audio and video content. Demand for such audio andvideo content continues to surge. Given the high demand, technology usedto access and play such content has likewise improved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features, aspects, and advantages of the presently disclosed technologyare better understood with regard to the following description, appendedclaims, and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 shows an illustration of an example system in which embodimentsof the methods and apparatus disclosed herein can be implemented;

FIG. 2A shows an illustration of an example zone player having abuilt-in amplifier and speakers;

FIG. 2B shows an illustration of an example zone player having abuilt-in amplifier and connected to external speakers;

FIG. 2C shows an illustration of an example zone player connected to anA/V receiver and speakers;

FIG. 3 shows an illustration of an example controller;

FIG. 4 shows an internal functional block diagram of an example zoneplayer;

FIG. 5 shows an internal functional block diagram of an examplecontroller;

FIG. 6 shows an example system including an audio playback device and anaudio information source;

FIG. 7 shows an internal functional block diagram of an example audioplayback device;

FIG. 8 shows an internal functional block diagram of an example audioinformation source;

FIG. 9 shows a flowchart representative of an example method to controlan audio information source;

FIG. 10 shows a flowchart representative of an example method to controlan audio information source of an audio playback device;

FIG. 11 shows a flowchart representative of an example method to controla volume setting of an audio playback device;

FIG. 12 shows a flowchart representative of an example method to controlan audio playback device;

FIG. 13 shows a flowchart representative of another example method tocontrol an audio playback device; and

FIG. 14 shows a state diagram representative of instructions to controlan example system to play back audio from an audio information sourcevia a playback device.

In addition, the drawings are for the purpose of illustrating exampleembodiments, but it is understood that the present disclosure is notlimited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION I. Overview

Media presentation systems include presentation devices, such asdisplays and/or speakers, to receive content and to generate one or moreoutputs using the received content. Presentation devices can receivesignals representative of the content in a plurality of manners usingdifferent techniques and/or technology. In some examples, audio contentsuch as music or the audio portion of audio/video content is encodedonto a carrier signal that is then wirelessly transmitted from one ormore sources to one or more wireless playback devices or speakers.

Example systems, methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacturedisclosed herein provide for a simple control method of an audioplayback device connected to multiple audio information sources. In someembodiments, an audio information source and the audio playback deviceexchange messages to control settings such as volume and selected signalsource. In some such embodiments, audio information source and the audioplayback device exchange messages to enable a user to interact with eachof the audio information source and the audio playback device usingrespective dedicated user input devices. For example, the user can use auser input device associated with the audio playback device to change asignal source from the audio information source to another source ofaudio information. The audio playback device transmits messages to theaudio information source to cause the audio information source to adjustone or more settings to comport with the source commands issued by theuser. The user can also use a user input device associated with theaudio information source to adjust a volume setting. The audioinformation source transmits commands to the audio playback device tocause the audio playback device to adjust a volume setting to comportwith the volume command issued by the user.

Embodiments of the systems, methods, apparatus, and articles ofmanufacture disclosed herein provide control for audio playback devices.As described in greater detail below, the systems, methods, apparatus,and articles of manufacture disclosed herein provide users of an audioplayback device with a control method using different user inputdevices. In an example of operation, an audio playback device isconnected to an audio information source such as a television via apacket-based connection. A user is provided with a first user inputdevice for the audio playback device and a second user input device forthe television. In the example, the television begins in an off state.The user turns on the television using the television user input device,and the television responds by powering on and sending a command to theaudio playback device to change a selected signal source to thetelevision and begin playing audio information provided by thetelevision (e.g., via the packet-based connection). The user can raisethe audio volume, lower the audio volume, mute the audio, and/or unmutethe audio using the user input device for the audio playback deviceand/or using the television user input device. In the case of changingthe volume or muting the audio using the television user input device,the television sends a corresponding volume command to the example audioplayback device to change the volume of the audio, mute the audio, orunmute the audio.

Continuing with the example, the user decides to listen to differentaudio, such as an Internet-based radio station. To accomplish this, theuser uses the user input device for the audio playback device to selectthe desired audio information source (e.g., the Internet-based radiostation). The audio playback device begins playing audio from theselected audio information source, and sends a volume command to thetelevision to cause the television to change to a muted setting. At thistime, the television can still display the video portion of thetelevision signal, but does not output audio due to the muted setting ofthe television. The user can further change the volume setting, mute theaudio, and/or unmute the audio being played via the user input devicefor the audio playback device. When the user desires to change back tolistening to the audio associated with the television, the user can usethe television user input device to change the volume and/or unmute theaudio. The television responds to the command from the television userinput device by changing to an unmuted setting and sending a sourcemessage to the audio playback device to change a signal source to thetelevision. The audio playback device then uses the television as theaudio information source and begins playing the audio from thetelevision. In this manner, example systems, methods, apparatus, andarticles of manufacture provide a control scheme for the audio playbackdevice (e.g., in a home theater system) that is simple to use from auser perspective.

An example embodiment of an audio playback device implemented inaccordance with the present disclosure includes an audio output deviceto generate audio signals based on a signal source, a device interfaceto receive a first message from a first audio information source, and asource selector to change the signal source from a second audioinformation source to the first audio information source based on thefirst message. In some embodiments, the playback device also includes auser input interface to receive a first command from a user inputdevice. The device interface is to send a second message to the firstaudio information source based on the command. In some such embodiments,the source selector changes the signal source from the first audioinformation source to the second audio information source in response tothe command, and the second message includes a mute command.

In some embodiments, the device interface receives a second message fromthe first audio information source when the signal source is the firstaudio information source. The second message is to be based on a commandfrom a user input device configured to communicate with the first audioinformation source and includes a volume command and the audio outputdevice changes a volume of the audio signals based on the secondmessage.

In some embodiments, the device interface sends a third message to atleast one additional playback device based on the second message.

In some embodiments, the first message is based on a command from a userinput device configured to communicate with the first audio informationsource. In some such embodiments, the command is at least one of apower-on command or a volume command

In some embodiments, the device interface communicates with the firstaudio information source and the second audio information source via atleast one of a wired network or a wireless network.

In some embodiments, the device interface sends audio informationassociated with the signal source to at least one additional playbackdevice.

In some embodiments, the first audio information source is a televisionand the device interface communicates with the television via apacket-based connection.

In some embodiments, the second audio information source is anetwork-based source of digital audio information.

An example system implemented in accordance with the present disclosureincludes a television and an audio output device in communication withthe television. In some embodiments, the audio output device selectivelyreceives first audio information from the television, generates firstaudio signals at a first volume setting based on the first audioinformation, receives a first message from the television based on auser input to the television, and generates second audio signals at asecond volume setting different from the first volume setting based onthe first audio information and based on the first message.

In some embodiments, the television generates the message based on theuser input and the message includes a volume command.

In some embodiments, the television and the audio output device arecoupled via a local area network and the message is a packet-basednetwork message.

In some embodiments, the audio output device receives a command from auser input device configured to communicate with the audio outputdevice, generates third audio signals based on second audio informationfrom a network-based audio information source, and transmits a secondmessage to the television. In some such embodiments, the televisionchanges a volume setting based on the second message.

In some embodiments, the audio output device generates the third audiosignals to have substantially the same volume immediately following achange in an audio information source from the television to thenetwork-based audio information source as the volume immediatelypreceding the change in the audio information source.

An example method implemented in accordance with the disclosure includesreceiving first audio information from a first audio source, generatingfirst audio signals based on the first audio information via a playbackdevice, receiving a first message from a second audio source, andgenerating second audio signals based on second audio information fromthe second audio source in response to receiving the first message.

In some embodiments, the method further includes receiving the secondaudio information via a packet-based message.

In some embodiments, the method further includes receiving a secondmessage based on a command from a first user input device associatedwith the second audio source, and adjusting a volume setting of theplayback device based on the second message.

In some embodiments, the method further includes receiving a sourcecommand from a first user input device associated with the playbackdevice and transmitting a second message to the second audio source tocause the first audio source to adjust the audio information.

An example method implemented in accordance with the disclosure includessending first audio information to a playback device via a networkconnection, receiving, via the network connection, a message from theplayback device based on a user input to the playback device, andchanging a volume setting based on the first message.

In some embodiments, changing the volume setting includes stoppingsending the first audio information to the playback device. In some suchembodiments, the method further includes receiving a command from a userinput device, sending a second message to the playback device via thenetwork connection, and resuming sending the first audio information tothe playback device to cause the playback device to generate audiosignals based on the first audio information. In some such embodiments,the method further includes receiving a command from a user input deviceand sending a message to the playback device via the network connectionto cause the playback device to change a volume setting of the playbackdevice.

An example article of manufacture implemented in accordance with thedisclosure includes machine readable instructions which, when executed,cause a machine to at least receive first audio information from a firstaudio source, generate first audio signals based on the first audioinformation via a playback device, receive a first message from a secondaudio source, and generate second audio signals based on second audioinformation from the second audio source in response to receiving thefirst message.

In some embodiments, the instructions further cause the machine to atleast receive the second audio information via a packet-based message.

In some embodiments, the instructions further cause the machine to atleast receive a second message based on a command from a first userinput device associated with the second audio source, and adjust avolume setting of the playback device based on the second message.

In some embodiments, the instructions further cause the machine to atleast receive a source command from a first user input device associatedwith the playback device and transmit a second message to the secondaudio source to cause the first audio source to adjust the audioinformation.

An example article of manufacture implemented in accordance with thedisclosure includes machine readable instructions which, when executed,cause a machine to at least send first audio information to a playbackdevice via a network connection, receive, via the network connection, amessage from the playback device based on a user input to the playbackdevice, and change a volume setting based on the first message.

In some embodiments, changing the volume setting includes stoppingsending the first audio information to the playback device. In some suchembodiments, the instructions further cause the machine to at leastreceive a command from a user input device, send a second message to theplayback device via the network connection, and resume sending the firstaudio information to the playback device to cause the playback device togenerate audio signals based on the first audio information.

In some embodiments, the instructions further cause the machine to atleast receive a command from a user input device and send a message tothe playback device via the network connection to cause the playbackdevice to change a volume setting of the playback device.

Although the following discloses example systems, methods, apparatus,and articles of manufacture including, among other components, firmwareand/or software executed on hardware, it should be noted that suchsystems, methods, apparatus, and/or articles of manufacture are merelyillustrative and should not be considered as limiting. For example, itis contemplated that any or all of these firmware, hardware, and/orsoftware components could be embodied exclusively in hardware,exclusively in software, exclusively in firmware, or in any combinationof hardware, software, and/or firmware. Accordingly, while the followingdescribes example systems, methods, apparatus, and/or articles ofmanufacture, the examples provided are not the only way(s) to implementsuch systems, methods, apparatus, and/or articles of manufacture.

When any of the appended claims are read to cover a purely softwareand/or firmware implementation, at least one of the elements in at leastone example is hereby expressly defined to include a tangible mediumsuch as a memory, DVD, CD, Blu-ray, and so on, storing the softwareand/or firmware.

These embodiments and many additional embodiments are described morebelow. Further, the detailed description is presented largely in termsof illustrative environments, systems, procedures, steps, logic blocks,processing, and other symbolic representations that directly orindirectly resemble the operations of data processing devices coupled tonetworks. These process descriptions and representations are typicallyused by those skilled in the art to most effectively convey thesubstance of their work to others skilled in the art. Numerous specificdetails are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the presentdisclosure. However, it is understood to those skilled in the art thatcertain embodiments of the present disclosure can be practiced withoutcertain, specific details. In other instances, well known methods,procedures, components, and circuitry have not been described in detailto avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the embodiments.

Reference herein to “embodiment” means that a particular feature,structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodimentcan be included in at least one example embodiment of the invention. Theappearances of this phrase in various places in the specification arenot necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separateor alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Assuch, the embodiments described herein, explicitly and implicitlyunderstood by one skilled in the art, can be combined with otherembodiments.

II. Example Environment

Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals can refer to likeparts throughout the figures, FIG. 1 shows an example systemconfiguration 100 in which one or more of the method and/or apparatusdisclosed herein can be practiced or implemented. By way ofillustration, the system configuration 100 represents a home withmultiple zones. Each zone, for example, represents a different room orspace, such as an office, bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, dining room,family room, home theater room, utility or laundry room, and patio.While not shown here, a single zone can cover more than one room orspace. One or more of zone players 102-124 are shown in each respectivezone. A zone player 102-124, also referred to as a playback device,multimedia unit, speaker, and so on, provides audio, video, and/oraudiovisual output. A controller 130 (e.g., shown in the kitchen forpurposes of illustration) provides control to the system configuration100. The system configuration 100 illustrates an example whole houseaudio system, though it is understood that the technology describedherein is not limited to its particular place of application or to anexpansive system like a whole house audio system 100 of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C show example illustrations of zone players 200-204.The zone players 200-204 of FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C, respectively, cancorrespond to any of the zone players 102-124 of FIG. 1. While certainembodiments provide multiple zone players, an audio output can begenerated using only a single zone player. FIG. 2A illustrates a zoneplayer 200 including sound producing equipment 208 capable of generatingsound or an audio output corresponding to a signal received (e.g.,wirelessly and/or via a wired interface). The sound producing equipment208 of the zone player 200 of FIG. 2A includes a built-in amplifier (notshown in this illustration) and speakers (e.g., a tweeter, a mid-rangedriver, and/or a subwoofer. In certain embodiments, the zone player 200of FIG. 2A can be configured to play stereophonic audio or monauralaudio. In some embodiments, the zone player 200 of FIG. 2A can beconfigured as a component in a combination of zone players to playstereophonic audio, monaural audio, and/or surround audio. As describedin greater detail below, in some embodiments, the example zone player200 of FIG. 2A can also transmit a second signal to, for example, otherzone player(s) in the same or different zone(s), speaker(s),receiver(s), and so on. Transmission of the second signal can be partof, for example, a system in which multiple zone players, speakers,receivers, and so on, form a network to, for example, present mediacontent in a synchronization or distributed manner.

The example zone player 202 of FIG. 2B includes a built-in amplifier(not shown in this illustration) to power a set of detached speakers210. The speakers 210 of FIG. 2B can include, for example, any type ofloudspeaker. The zone player 202 of FIG. 2B can communicate a signalcorresponding to audio content to the detached speakers 210 via wiredand/or wireless channels. Instead of receiving and generating audiocontent as in FIG. 2A, the zone player 202 of FIG. 2B receives the audiocontent and transmits the same (e.g., after processing the receivedsignal) to the detached speakers 210. Similar to the example zone player200 of FIG. 2A, in some embodiments the zone player 202 can transmit asecond signal to, for example, other zone player(s) in the same ordifferent zone(s), speaker(s), receiver(s), and so on.

The example zone player 204 of FIG. 2C does not include an amplifier,but allows a receiver 214, or another audio and/or video type devicewith built-in amplification, to connect to a data network 128 of FIG. 1and to play audio received over the data network 128 via the receiver214 and a set of detached speakers 216. In addition to the wiredcouplings shown in FIG. 2C, the detached speakers 216 can receive audiocontent via a wireless communication channel between the detachedspeakers 216 and, for example, the zone player 204 and/or the receiver214. In some embodiments the zone player 202 can transmit a secondsignal to, for example, other zone player(s) in the same or differentzone(s), speaker(s), receiver(s), and so on.

Example zone players include a “Sonos® S5,” “Sonos Play:5,” “SonosPlay:3,” “ZonePlayer 120,” and “ZonePlayer 90,” which are offered bySonos, Inc. of Santa Barbara, Calif. Any other past, present, and/orfuture zone players can additionally or alternatively be used toimplement the zone players of example embodiments disclosed herein. Azone player can also be referred to herein as a playback device, and azone player is not limited to the particular examples illustrated inFIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C. For example, a zone player can include a wired orwireless headphone. In other examples, a zone player might include asubwoofer. In yet other examples, a zone player can include a sound bar.In an example, a zone player can include or interact with a dockingstation for an Apple iPod™ or similar device. In some embodiments, azone player can relay one or more signals received from, for example, afirst zone player to another playback device. In some embodiments, azone player can receive a first signal and generate an outputcorresponding to the first signal and, simultaneously or separately, canreceive a second signal and transmit or relay the second signal toanother zone player(s), speaker(s), receiver(s), and so on. Thus, anexample zone player described herein can act as a playback device and,at the same time, operate as a hub in a network of zone players. In suchinstances, media content corresponding to the first signal can bedifferent from the media content corresponding to the second signal.

FIG. 3 shows an example illustration of a wireless controller 300 in adocking station 302. The controller 300 can correspond to thecontrolling device 130 of FIG. 1. The controller 300 is provided with atouch screen 304 that allows a user to interact with the controller 300,for example, to retrieve and navigate a playlist of audio items, controloperations of one or more zone players, and provide overall control ofthe system configuration 100. In certain embodiments, any number ofcontrollers can be used to control the system configuration 100. Incertain embodiments, there can be a limit on the number of controllersthat can control the system configuration 100. The controllers might bewireless like wireless controller 300 or wired to the data network 128.Furthermore, an application running on any network-enabled portabledevices, such as an iPhone™, iPad™, Android™ powered phone, or any othersmart phone or network-enabled device can be used as a controller byconnecting to the data network 128. An application running on a laptopor desktop PC or Mac can also be used as a controller. Examplecontrollers include a “Sonos® Controller 200,” “Sonos® Controller foriPhone,” “Sonos® Controller for iPad,” “Sonos® Controller for Android,“Sonos® Controller for Mac or PC,” which are offered by Sonos, Inc. ofSanta Barbara, Calif. The flexibility of such an application and itsability to be ported to a new type of portable device is advantageous.

Referring back to the system configuration 100 of FIG. 1, a particularzone can contain one or more zone players. For example, the family roomof FIG. 1 contains two zone players 106 and 108, while the kitchen isshown with one zone player 102. Zones can be dynamically configured bypositioning a zone player in a room or space and assigning via thecontroller 130 the zone player to a new or existing zone. As such, zonescan be created, combined with another zone, removed, and given aspecific name (e.g., “Kitchen”), if so programmed. The zone players 102to 124 are coupled directly or indirectly to a data network, such as thedata network 128 shown in FIG. 1. The data network 128 is represented byan octagon in the figure to stand out from other components shown in thefigure. While the data network 128 is shown in a single location, it isunderstood that such a network can be distributed in and around thesystem configuration 100.

Particularly, the data network 128 can be a wired network, a wirelessnetwork, or a combination of both. In some embodiments, one or more ofthe zone players 102-124 are wirelessly coupled to the data network 128based on a proprietary mesh network. In some embodiments, one or more ofthe zone players 102-124 are wirelessly coupled to the data network 128using a non-mesh topology. In some embodiments, one or more of the zoneplayers 102-124 are coupled via a wire to the data network 128 usingEthernet or similar technology. In addition to the one or more zoneplayers 102-124 connecting to the data network 128, the data network 128can further allow access to a wide area network, such as the Internet.

In certain embodiments, the data network 128 can be created byconnecting any of the zone players 102-124, or some other connectingdevice, to a broadband router. Other zone players 102-124 can then beadded wired or wirelessly to the data network 128. For example, a zoneplayer (e.g., any of zone players 102-124) can be added to the systemconfiguration 100 by simply pressing a button on the zone player itself,which enables a connection to be made to the data network 128. Thebroadband router can be connected to an Internet Service Provider (ISP),for example. The broadband router can be used to form another datanetwork within the system configuration 100, which can be used in otherapplications (e.g., web surfing). The data network 128 can also be usedin other applications, if so programmed. Further, in certainembodiments, the data network 128 is the same network used for otherapplications in the household.

In certain embodiments, each zone can play from the same audio source asanother zone or each zone can play from a different audio source. Forexample, someone can be grilling on the patio and listening to jazzmusic via zone player 124, while someone is preparing food in thekitchen and listening to classical music via zone player 102. Further,someone can be in the office listening to the same jazz music via zoneplayer 110 that is playing on the patio via zone player 124. In someembodiments, the jazz music played via zone players 110 and 124 isplayed in synchrony. Synchronizing playback amongst zones allows forsomeone to pass through zones while seamlessly listening to the audio.Further, zones can be put into a “party mode” such that all associatedzones will play audio in synchrony.

In certain embodiments, a zone contains two or more zone players. Forexample, the family room contains two zone players 106 and 108, and thehome theater room contains at least zone players 116, 118, and 120. Azone can be configured to contain as many zone players as desired, andfor example, the home theater room might contain additional zone playersto play audio from a 5.1 channel or greater audio source (e.g., a movieencoded with 5.1 or greater audio channels). If a zone contains two ormore zone players, such as the two zone players 106 and 108 in thefamily room, then the two zone players 106 and 108 can be configured toplay the same audio source in synchrony, or the two zone players 106 and108 can be paired to play two separate sounds in left and rightchannels, for example. In other words, the stereo effects of a sound canbe reproduced or enhanced through the two zone players 106 and 108, onefor the left sound and the other for the right sound. In certainembodiments, paired zone players can play audio in synchrony with otherzone players.

In certain embodiments, three or more zone players can be configured toplay various channels of audio that is encoded with three channels ormore sound. For example, the home theater room shows zone players 116,118, and 120. If the sound is encoded as 2.1 channel audio, then thezone player 116 can be configured to play left channel audio, the zoneplayer 118 can be configured to play right channel audio, and the zoneplayer 120 can be configured to play bass frequencies. Otherconfigurations are possible and depend on the number of zone players andthe type of audio. Further, a particular zone can be configured to playa 5.1 channel audio in one instance, such as when playing audio from amovie, and then dynamically switch to play stereo, such as when playingaudio from a two channel source.

In certain embodiments, two or more zone players can be sonicallyconsolidated to form a single, consolidated zone player. A consolidatedzone player (though made up of multiple, separate devices) can beconfigured to process and reproduce sound differently than anunconsolidated zone player or zone players that are paired, because aconsolidated zone player will have additional speaker drivers from whichsound can be passed. The consolidated zone player can further be pairedwith a single zone player or yet another consolidated zone player. Eachplayback device of a consolidated playback device is preferably set in aconsolidated mode.

According to some embodiments, one can continue to do any of: group,consolidate, and pair zone players, for example, until a desiredconfiguration is complete. The actions of grouping, consolidation, andpairing are preferably performed through a control interface, such asusing controller 130, and not by physically connecting and re-connectingspeaker wire, for example, to individual, discrete speakers to createdifferent configurations. As such, certain embodiments described hereinprovide a more flexible and dynamic platform through which soundreproduction can be offered to the end-user.

Sources of audio content to be played by zone players 102-124 arenumerous. Music from a personal library stored on a computer ornetworked-attached storage (NAS) can be accessed via the data network128 and played. Internet radio stations, shows, and podcasts can beaccessed via the data network 128. Music services that let a user streamand download music and audio content can be accessed via the datanetwork 128. Further, music can be obtained from traditional sources,such as a turntable or CD player, via a line-in connection to a zoneplayer, for example. Audio content can also be accessed through AirPlay™wireless technology by Apple, Inc., for example. Audio content receivedfrom one or more sources can be shared amongst the zone players 102 to124 via the data network 128 and/or the controller 130. Theabove-disclosed sources of audio content are referred to herein asnetwork-based audio information sources. However, network-based audioinformation sources are not limited thereto.

The example home theater zone players 116, 118, 120 are coupled to anaudio information source such as a television 132. In some examples, thetelevision 132 is used as a source of audio for the home theater zoneplayers 116, 118, 120, while in other examples audio information fromthe television 132 can be shared with any of the zone players 102-124 inthe audio system 100.

III. Example Playback Device

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown an example functional blockdiagram of a zone player 400 in accordance with an embodiment. The zoneplayer 400 of FIG. 4 includes a network interface 402, a processor 408,a memory 410, an audio processing component 412, a module 414, an audioamplifier 416, and a speaker unit 418 coupled to the audio amplifier416. FIG. 2A shows an example illustration of such a zone player. Othertypes of zone players can not include the speaker unit 418 (e.g., suchas shown in FIG. 2B) or the audio amplifier 416 (e.g., such as shown inFIG. 2C). Further, it is contemplated that the zone player 400 can beintegrated into another component. For example, the zone player 400could be constructed as part of a lamp for indoor or outdoor use.

Referring back to FIG. 4, the network interface 402 facilitates a dataflow between zone players and other devices on a data network (e.g., thedata network 128 of FIG. 1) and the zone player 400. In someembodiments, the network interface 402 can manage the assembling of anaudio source or file into smaller packets that are to be transmittedover the data network or reassembles received packets into the originalsource or file. In some embodiments, the network interface 402 canfurther handle the address part of each packet so that it gets to theright destination or intercepts packets destined for the zone player400. Accordingly, in certain embodiments, each of the packets includesan Internet Protocol (IP)-based source address as well as an IP-baseddestination address.

In some embodiments, the network interface 402 can include one or bothof a wireless interface 404 and a wired interface 406. The wirelessinterface 404, also referred to as an RF interface, provides networkinterface functions for the zone player 400 to wirelessly communicatewith other devices (e.g., other zone player(s), speaker(s), receiver(s),component(s) associated with the data network 128, and so on) inaccordance with a communication protocol (e.g., any of the wirelessstandards IEEE 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, or 802.15). Toreceive wireless signals and to provide the wireless signals to thewireless interface 404 and to transmit wireless signals, the zone player400 of FIG. 4 includes one or more antennas 420. The wired interface 406provides network interface functions for the zone player 400 tocommunicate over a wire with other devices in accordance with acommunication protocol (e.g., IEEE 802.3). In some embodiments, a zoneplayer includes both of the interfaces 404 and 406. In some embodiments,a zone player 400 includes only the wireless interface 404 or the wiredinterface 406.

In some embodiments, the processor 408 is a clock-driven electronicdevice that is configured to process input data according toinstructions stored in memory 410. The memory 410 is data storage thatcan be loaded with one or more software modules 414, which can beexecuted by the processor 408 to achieve certain tasks. In theillustrated embodiment, the memory 410 is a tangible machine readablemedium storing instructions that can be executed by the processor 408.In some embodiments, a task might be for the zone player 400 to retrieveaudio data from another zone player or a device on a network. In someembodiments, a task might be for the zone player 400 to send audio datato another zone player or device on a network. In some embodiments, atask might be for the zone player 400 to synchronize playback of audiowith one or more additional zone players. In some embodiments, a taskmight be to pair the zone player 400 with one or more zone players tocreate a multi-channel audio environment. Additional or alternativetasks can be achieved via the one or more software modules 414 and theprocessor 408.

The audio processing component 412 can include one or moredigital-to-analog converters (DAC), an audio preprocessing component, anaudio enhancement component or a digital signal processor, and so on. Incertain embodiments, the audio that is retrieved via the networkinterface 402 is processed and/or intentionally altered by the audioprocessing component 412. Further, the audio processing component 412can produce analog audio signals. The processed analog audio signals arethen provided to the audio amplifier 416 for play back through speakers418. In addition, the audio processing component 412 can includenecessary circuitry to process analog or digital signals as inputs toplay from zone player 400, send to another zone player on a network, orboth play and send to another zone player on the network. An exampleinput includes a line-in connection (e.g., an auto-detecting 3.5 mmaudio line-in connection).

The audio amplifier 416 is a device that amplifies audio signals to alevel for driving one or more speakers 418. The one or more speakers 418can include an individual transducer (e.g., a “driver”) or a completespeaker system that includes an enclosure including one or more drivers.A particular driver can be a subwoofer (for low frequencies), amid-range driver (middle frequencies), and a tweeter (high frequencies),for example. An enclosure can be sealed or ported, for example.

A zone player 400 can also be referred to herein as a playback device.An example playback device includes a Sonos® Play:5, which ismanufactured by Sonos, Inc. of Santa Barbara, Calif. The Play:5 is anexample zone player with a built-in amplifier and speakers. Inparticular, the Play:5 is a five-driver speaker system that includes twotweeters, two mid-range drivers, and one subwoofer. When playing audiocontent via the Play:5, the left audio data of a track is sent out ofthe left tweeter and left mid-range driver, the right audio data of atrack is sent out of the right tweeter and the right mid-range driver,and mono bass is sent out of the subwoofer. Further, both mid-rangedrivers and both tweeters have the same equalization (or substantiallythe same equalization). That is, they are both sent the samefrequencies, just from different channels of audio. Audio from Internetradio stations, online music and video services, downloaded music,analog audio inputs, television, DVD, and so on, can be played from aSonos® Play:5. While the Play:5 is an example of a zone player withspeakers, it is understood that a zone player with speakers is notlimited to one with a certain number of speakers (e.g., five speakers asin the Play:5), but rather can contain one or more speakers. Further, azone player can be part of another device, which might even serve apurpose different than audio (e.g., a lamp).

IV. Example Controller

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown an example controller 500, whichcan correspond to the controlling device 130 in FIG. 1. The controller500 can be used to facilitate the control of multi-media applications,automation and others in a system. In particular, the controller 500 isconfigured to facilitate a selection of a plurality of audio sourcesavailable on the network and enable control of one or more zone players(e.g., the zone players 102-124 in FIG. 1) through a wireless networkinterface 508. According to one embodiment, the wireless communicationsis based on an industry standard (e g, infrared, radio, wirelessstandards IEEE 802.11a, 802.11b 802.11g, 802.11n, or 802.15). Further,when a particular audio is being accessed via the controller 500 orbeing played via a zone player, a picture (e.g., album art) or any otherdata, associated with the audio source can be transmitted from a zoneplayer or other electronic device to the controller 500 for display.

The controller 500 is provided with a screen 502 and an input interface514 that allows a user to interact with the controller 500, for example,to navigate a playlist of many multimedia items and to controloperations of one or more zone players. The screen 502 on the controller500 can be an LCD screen, for example. The screen 500 communicates withand is commanded by a screen driver 504 that is controlled by amicrocontroller (e.g., a processor) 506. The memory 510 can be loadedwith one or more application modules 512 that can be executed by themicrocontroller 506 with or without a user input via the user interface514 to achieve certain tasks. In some embodiments, an application module512 is configured to facilitate grouping a number of selected zoneplayers into a zone group and synchronizing the zone players for audioplay back. In some embodiments, an application module 512 is configuredto control the audio sounds (e.g., volume) of the zone players in a zonegroup. In operation, when the microcontroller 506 executes one or moreof the application modules 512, the screen driver 504 generates controlsignals to drive the screen 502 to display an application specific userinterface accordingly.

The controller 500 includes a network interface 508 that facilitateswireless communication with a zone player. In some embodiments, thecommands such as volume control and audio playback synchronization aresent via the network interface 508. In some embodiments, a saved zonegroup configuration is transmitted between a zone player and acontroller via the network interface 508. The controller 500 can controlone or more zone players, such as 102-124 of FIG. 1. There can be morethan one controller for a particular system. Further, a controller canbe integrated into a zone player.

It should be noted that other network-enabled devices such as aniPhone®, iPad® or any other smart phone or network-enabled device (e.g.,a networked computer such as a PC or Mac) can also be used as acontroller to interact or control zone players in a particularenvironment. In some embodiments, a software application or upgrade canbe downloaded onto a network enabled device to perform the functionsdescribed herein.

In certain embodiments, a user can create a zone group including atleast two zone players from the controller 500. The zone players in thezone group can play audio in a synchronized fashion, such that all ofthe zone players in the zone group play back an identical audio sourceor a list of identical audio sources in a synchronized manner such thatno (or substantially no) audible delays or hiccups could be heard.Similarly, in some embodiments, when a user increases the audio volumeof the group from the controller 500, the signals or data of increasingthe audio volume for the group are sent to one of the zone players andcauses other zone players in the group to be increased together involume.

A user via the controller 500 can group zone players into a zone groupby activating a “Link Zones” or “Add Zone” soft button, or de-grouping azone group by activating an “Unlink Zones” or “Drop Zone” button. Forexample, one mechanism for ‘joining’ zone players together for audioplay back is to link a number of zone players together to form a group.To link a number of zone players together, a user can manually link eachzone player or room one after the other. For example, assume that thereis a multi-zone system that includes the following zones: Bathroom,Bedroom, Den, Dining Room, Family Room, and Foyer.

In certain embodiments, a user can link any number of the six zoneplayers, for example, by starting with a single zone and then manuallylinking each zone to that zone.

In certain embodiments, a set of zones can be dynamically linkedtogether using a command to create a zone scene or theme (subsequent tofirst creating the zone scene). For instance, a “Morning” zone scenecommand can link the Bedroom, Office, and Kitchen zones together in oneaction. Without this single command, the user would need to manually andindividually link each zone. The single command might include a mouseclick, a double mouse click, a button press, a gesture, or some otherprogrammed action. Other kinds of zone scenes can be programmed.

In certain embodiments, a zone scene can be triggered based on time(e.g., an alarm clock function). For instance, a zone scene can be setto apply at 8:00 am. The system can link appropriate zonesautomatically, set specific music to play, and then stop the music aftera defined duration. Although any particular zone can be triggered to an“On” or “Off” state based on time, for example, a zone scene enables anyzone(s) linked to the scene to play a predefined audio (e.g., afavorable song, a predefined playlist) at a specific time and/or for aspecific duration. If, for any reason, the scheduled music failed to beplayed (e.g., an empty playlist, no connection to a share, failedUniversal Plug and Play (UPnP), no Internet connection for an InternetRadio station, and so on), a backup buzzer can be programmed to sound.The buzzer can include a sound file that is stored in a zone player, forexample.

V. Controlling an Audio Playback Device

FIG. 6 shows an example system 600 including an audio playback device602 and an audio information source 604. The example audio playbackdevice 602 of FIG. 6 is a zone player such as the zone player 400described above with reference to FIG. 4, a sound bar, a center channelspeaker, and/or a combination of a center channel speaker and left andright channel speakers. The example audio playback device 602 is locatedwithin a zone that also includes additional zone players such as asubwoofer 606 and rear surround devices 608, 610. The illustratedexample of FIG. 6 can be used as a home theater system in combinationwith a television (e.g., the audio information source 604). A controller612 is in communication with the audio playback device 602 to control,for example, selection of a signal source to be played by the audioplayback device 602, the subwoofer 606, and/or the rear surround devices608, 610.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 6, the audio playback device 602 iscoupled to the example audio information source 604 via a wiredconnection 614. In some other examples, the wired connection 614 may bereplaced and/or augmented using a wireless connection. The wiredconnection 614 transmits audio information, control messages, audioand/or video metadata, and/or other information between the audioplayback device 602 and the audio information source 604. An examplewired connection that may be used to implement the wired connection 614is Ethernet. In some examples, the audio information source 604 adjustsa volume of the transmitted audio information to a volume scale definedby the audio playback device 602. While some audio information sources,such as televisions, are provided with audio output mechanisms (e.g.,speakers), in the example system 600 the audio playback device 602outputs the audio instead of any audio output mechanisms on the audioinformation source 604.

The example audio playback device 602 can select between multipledifferent sources of audio information, of which one is the audioinformation source 604. In some examples, the audio information source604 represents multiple potential sources of audio information when theaudio information source 604 functions as a switch or hub for additionaldevices. In some embodiments, the audio information source 604 is atelevision that can switch between different input devices such as videogame consoles, cable, satellite, and/or broadcast television programs,DVD players, Blu-ray players, video cassette players, digital videoplayers, and/or any other input device.

In the example of FIG. 6, the audio playback device 602 and the audioinformation source 604 each have a dedicated user input device. Theexample audio playback device 602 communicates with the controller 612via a wireless connection 616. The controller 612 can be implementedusing, for example, the controller 500 of FIG. 5. Using the controller612, a user of the system 600 can control the example audio playbackdevice 602 to, for example, change an audio output volume of the audioplayback device 602 (e.g., increase volume, decrease volume, mute, andso on), change a signal source from which the audio playback device 602is to obtain audio information to be played, configure which zones areto play audio from particular audio information sources, and/or performany other settings and/or configuration adjustment to the audio playbackdevice 602.

The example audio information source 604 communicates with a separateuser input device 618 via a wireless connection 620. The user inputdevice 618 can include one or more of a remote control (e.g., a remotecontrol corresponding to the television, a universal remote control,etc.) containing one or more command buttons, a set of buttons on aphysical housing or bezel of the audio information source, and/or asoftware device communicatively coupled to the audio information source604. The wireless connection 620 can be an infrared connection, aBluetooth connection, and/or any other past, present, and/or futurewireless connection. Using the user input device 618, a user of thesystem 600 can control the example audio information source 604 to, forexample, communicate a volume command to the audio information source,change an input to the audio information source 604, power the audioinformation source 604 on and/or off, and/or otherwise perform any othersettings and/or configuration adjustment to the audio information source604.

In some examples, the user input devices 612, 618 may be combined into acombination (e.g., universal) remote control that can selectively and/orsimultaneously interact with the audio playback device 602 and the audioinformation source 604. In some such examples, the audio playback device602 and the audio information source 604 transmit messages and receivecommands depending on which of the audio playback device 602 and theaudio information source 604 the combination remote control isconfigured to interact with for a given command.

In addition to the example audio information source 604, the audioplayback device 602 can select audio information sources, such asnetwork-based audio information sources, via a router 622. The exampleaudio playback device 602 is coupled to the example router 622 via awired or wireless connection 624, which enables access to network-basedaudio information sources (e.g., via the Internet and/or a local areanetwork).

The example messages transmitted and received by the example audioplayback device 602 and the example audio information source 604 of FIG.6 are packet-based messages, such as Ethernet packets. The type of themessage (e.g., volume message, source message, and so on) and/or anyadditional information (e.g., volume up, volume down, mute, unmute,specified audio information source, and so on) can be carried, forexample, in the payload of the packet-based message. Packet-basedmessages can also be used to transmit the audio information from theaudio information source 604 to the audio playback device 602.

The example system 600 of FIG. 6 is divided into multiple groups 626,628. Each of the groups 626, 628 may be located, for example, in adifferent room of a larger location (e.g., a house). The example group626 includes audio playback device 602, the audio information source604, the subwoofer 606, the rear surround devices 608, 610, the userinput device 618, and the router 622. The example group 628 includes twoaudio playback devices 630, 632 (e.g., zone players). The example userinput device 612 is mobile and may be in the same physical location aseither of the example groups 626, 628, or neither of them, at any giventime.

The example audio playback devices 630, 632 in the group 628 are groupedin a master-slave arrangement, where one of the audio playback devices630, 632 communicates with the group 626 and/or the router 622 toreceive and/or provide audio information, synchronizing signals, and/orcommands. The audio playback devices 630, 632 then communicate with eachother to receive and/or provide audio information, synchronizingsignals, and/or commands.

While the example groups 626, 628 of FIG. 6 are positioned in differentlocations, the groups 626, 628 may be combined at a user's direction(e.g., via the user input device 612) such that the devices 602, 606,608, 610, 630, 632 play the same audio in synchrony. The user mayadditionally or alternatively direct one of the groups 626, 628 to playaudio originating from the audio information source 604 while the otherof the groups 626, 628 plays other audio originating from another sourceof audio information (e.g., via the router 622).

FIG. 15 illustrates example interface screens 1502, 1504, 1506, 1508 forthe example user input device 612 in different states of the examplesystem 600 of FIG. 6. A first example interface screen 1502 of FIG. 15illustrates a display on the user input device 612 when the groups 626,628 are ungrouped and the group 626 (e.g., TV Room group) is playingaudio from a different source than the group 628 (e.g., Kitchen group)and another example group (e.g., Dining Room group). When the exampleaudio playback device 602 changes a signal source to the audioinformation source 604, the example user input device 612 updates theinterface screen to a second interface screen 1504 to inform the userthat the group 626 is playing audio from the audio information source604 while the other groups continue to play audio from the same source.

A third example interface screen 1506 informs the user that all of thegroups are playing the same audio. When the example audio playbackdevice 602 changes a signal source to the audio information source 604,the grouping may persist or change. If the example grouping illustratedin the interface screen 1506 persists, the example groups change asignal source to the audio information source 604 and the user inputdevice 612 updates to display a fourth example interface screen 1508 toinform the user of the change. In contrast, if the example groupingchanges (e.g., due to a desired configuration of the user), the group626 splits from the other groups and begins playing audio from the audioinformation source 604 while the other groups continue playing audiofrom the same source as before the grouping change. In such an example,the user input device 612 updates to display the example display screen1504 (or another display screen corresponding to the changed groupings)to inform the user of the change in the groupings.

In some examples, when the audio playback device 602 changes from oneaudio information source (e.g., an Internet music source) to the audioinformation source 604, the example audio playback device 602 determineswhether a scene is triggered by the change of the signal source to theaudio information source 604 (e.g., from a different audio informationsource). As used herein, a scene is a grouping of zone players that areconfigured (e.g., by a user) to perform one or more actions (e.g., playaudio from a particular audio information source) at the performance ofan event (e.g., a time of day, a change in an audio information source,etc.). For example, a user may have programmed a scene (e.g., “TVScene”) in which changing a signal source of the audio playback device602 triggers a zone grouping in which the audio playback device 602, thesubwoofer 606, and the rear surround speakers 608, 610 of FIG. 6automatically configure themselves into a zone for the playback of audiofrom the audio information source 604. In some such examples, the scenefurther includes the audio playback devices 630, 632 performing the sameactions as the devices 602, 606-610 and/or different actions (e.g.,mute, power down, change to a different audio information source). Insome examples, the user may configure a scene that includes playingaudio from the audio information source 604 via a zone groupingincluding one or more of the devices 606-610, 630, 632, but notincluding the audio playback device 602. Scenes may specify audio to beplayed via multiple devices 602, 606-610, 630, 632 and/or groups 630,632 in isolation and/or in synchronicity.

When the example TV Scene is triggered, the example audio playbackdevice 602 of FIG. 6 configures the appropriate zone group(s) accordingto the scene settings. To change scenes, the audio playback device 602signals one or more other speakers (e.g., the subwoofer 606, the rearsurround devices 608, 610) and/or one or more other group(s) 630 tochange to the audio information source 604. Additionally oralternatively, when the audio playback device 602 changes from the audioinformation source 604 to another audio information source, the audioplayback device 602 may signal one or more other speaker(s) and/orgroup(s) to change to the audio information source. Using the user inputdevice 612, the user may control which of the speakers and/or groups areconfigured to change to the audio information source 604. In response tothe change in groupings resulting from the scene, the example user inputdevice 612 changes display screens (e.g., changing from the displayscreen 1506 showing grouped zones to the display screen 1504 or thedisplay screen 1508 based on the scene configuration). In some examples,the audio information source 602 signals to the other speaker(s) and/orgroup(s) to change a playback volume when the audio playback device 602receives a corresponding volume command from the user interface device612 and/or a volume message from the audio playback device 604.

In some examples, the audio playback device 602 and the audioinformation source 604 may be used to configure the groups 628, 630,scenes, and/or other user-configurable settings for the audio playbackdevices 602, 630, 632, the subwoofer 606, and/or the rear surroundspeakers 608, 610. For example, the user interface device 612 maycontrol the audio playback device 602, which displays the zoneconfiguration(s) and/or potential configuration(s) to the user via theaudio information source 604 (e.g., a television monitor), to configurethe zones. The audio playback device 602 communicates displayinformation to the audio information source 604 for display to the user,who may prefer to view the configuration of the groups 628, 630 on thelarger display area of the audio information source 604 instead of asmaller display area of the user interface device 612.

FIG. 7 shows an internal functional block diagram of an example audioplayback device 700. The example audio playback device 700 of FIG. 7 canbe used to implement any of the zone players 200, 202, 204 of FIGS.2A-2C, the zone player 400 of FIG. 4, and/or the audio playback device602 of FIG. 6 to output audio based on an audio information source. Theexample audio playback device 700 of FIG. 7 includes a user inputinterface 702, a device interface 704, a source selector 706, and anaudio output device 708.

The example user input interface 702 communicates with user inputdevices, such as the controller 500 of FIG. 5 and/or the user inputdevice 612 of FIG. 6. In some examples, the user input devices 500, 612are configured to control zone players. As illustrated in FIG. 7, theuser input interface 702 communicates with the user input device 612 viathe wireless connection 616. The user input interface 702 receivescommands from user input device 612, which can include a selection by auser of the user input device 612 of a different audio informationsource than an audio information source currently being used.Additionally, the user input interface 702 can receive volume commandsto increase, decrease, and/or mute the volume being output from theaudio playback device 700, and/or to change the playing of audio by, forexample, pausing, unpausing, skipping audio tracks, fast-forwarding theaudio being played, rewinding the audio being played, and/or stoppingplayback of the audio.

In some embodiments, the user input interface 702 is implemented usingthe wireless interface 404, the wired interface 406 and/or, moregenerally, the network interface 402 of FIG. 4. Other implementationscan additionally or alternatively be used to provide the user inputinterface 702.

The example device interface 704 interfaces with, among other things,the audio information source 604, via wired and/or wireless connections614, 710. The device interface 704 receives messages, audio information,metadata, and/or other information from the audio information source 604via the example wired connection 614. The example device interface 704also receives messages from the audio information source 604 via thewired connection 614. In some embodiments, the example playback device700 communicates with other playback devices such as zone players.

In some embodiments, the device interface 704 is implemented using thewireless interface 404, the wired interface 406 and/or, more generally,the network interface 402 of FIG. 4. Other implementations canadditionally or alternatively be used to provide the device interface704.

In some embodiments, the device interface 704 receives audio informationto be played via the audio playback device 700 from the audioinformation source 604 at a first time. At some later time, the userdecides to listen to audio from a different source while keeping theaudio information source 604 in a powered-on state (e.g., listen tomusic while continuing to watch a program on television, listen to aradio broadcast of a sporting event while watching the video broadcaston television, and so on). The example device interface 704 transmits amessage to the example audio information source 604 to cause the audioinformation source to change its volume to a mute setting.

The example source selector 706 of FIG. 7 selects a signal source to beused to play back audio based on the user input interface 702 and/or thedevice interface 704. The source selector 706 provides audio informationassociated with the selected signal source to the audio output device708 to be transformed into audio output signals (e.g., acoustic signals,stereo analog output signals to an external speaker, and so on). Forexample, the source selector 706 can select a particular audioinformation source specified by a user via a user input device, whichtransmits command(s) that are received via the user input interface 702.In other examples, the source selector 706 selects the audio informationsource 604 in response to a message received at the device interface 704(e.g., a source message, a volume message from the audio informationsource 604). In some embodiments, if the source selector 706 hasselected an audio information source different than the audioinformation source 604 and the audio information source 604 then sends asource message to the audio playback device 700 (e.g., to the deviceinterface 704), the source selector 706 changes the selected source tothe audio information source 604.

In some embodiments, the example source selector 706 also manages asystem volume of audio to be played back. The example source selector706 can change the system volume based on a command received via theuser input interface 702 and/or based on a message received via thedevice interface 704. For example, the device interface 704 can receivea volume message (e.g., a message instructing the audio playback device700 to increase, decrease, or mute the volume of playback) from theaudio information source 604 when a user of the system uses a user inputdevice configured to control the audio information source (e.g., atelevision remote control for a television audio information source).

In some embodiments, the source selector 706 is implemented using theexample processor 408 and the example memory 410 of FIG. 4. Otherimplementations can additionally or alternatively be used to provide thesource selector 706.

The example audio output device 708 outputs audio signals 712 based oninput audio information from a selected audio information source andbased on a volume setting. The example source selector 706 selects theaudio information source, provides received audio information from theselected audio information source to the audio output device 708, andprovides a volume setting at which the audio output device 708 is tooutput the audio signals 712. Example audio signals 712 can includeacoustic signals output from one or more speaker(s) and/or analog and/ordigital electrical signals output to an acoustic output device externalto the audio playback device 700.

In some embodiments, the audio output device 708 is implemented usingthe example audio processing circuit 412, the example audio amplifier416, and/or the example speaker(s) 418 of FIG. 4. Other implementationscan additionally or alternatively be used to provide the audio outputdevice 708.

FIG. 8 shows an internal functional block diagram of an example audioinformation source 800. The example audio information source 800 of FIG.8 can be used to implement the audio information source 604 of FIG. 6 toselectively provide audio information to the audio playback device 602.The example audio information source 800 of FIG. 8 includes a user inputinterface 802, a playback device interface 804, a volume controller 806,and an input selector 808.

The example user input interface 802 of FIG. 8 receives commands from auser input device (e.g., a remote control) via a wireless connection810. Example commands include volume commands (e.g., volume up, volumedown, mute, unmute) and/or input selection commands (e.g., which of aset of input devices are to be a source of audio and/or videoinformation).

The example playback device interface 804 of FIG. 8 sends messages,metadata, and/or audio information to an audio playback device (e.g.,the audio playback devices 602, 700 of FIGS. 6 and 7) via a wiredconnection (e.g., the wired connection 614) and/or a wireless connection812. The playback device interface 804 also receives messages from theaudio playback device 602 via the wired connection 614 and/or thewireless connection 812.

The example volume controller 806 of FIG. 8 controls a volume setting ofthe example audio information source 800. The volume setting can be usedby the audio information device 800 to modify output audio informationto be louder or quieter when received by an audio playback device. Whenthe example volume controller 806 is connected to an audio playbackdevice such as the audio playback device 700 of FIG. 7, the examplevolume controller 806 causes the playback device interface 804 totransmit a volume message (via the wired connection 614 and/or thewireless connection 812) in response to the user input interface 802receiving a corresponding volume command. For example, the playbackdevice interface 804 transmits a volume down message when the user inputinterface 802 receives a volume down command from a user input device,transmits a volume up message when the user input interface 802 receivesa volume up command from the user input device, and/or transmits a mutemessage when the user input interface 802 receives a mute command fromthe user input device.

In some embodiments, the volume controller 806 also controls the volumesetting of the audio information source 800 in response to the playbackdevice interface 804 receiving volume messages via the wired connection614 and/or the wireless connection 812. For example, the playback deviceinterface 804 can receive a mute message when the audio playback device602 selects an audio information source different than the audioinformation source 800. In response, the volume controller 806 changesthe volume setting of the audio information source 800 to a mutesetting. At a later time, when the user input interface 802 receives avolume command, the volume controller 806 causes the playback deviceinterface 804 to send a volume message to the audio playback device 602.

The example input selector 808 of FIG. 8 selects from one or more inputdevices via corresponding input connections 814. The input selector 808provides audio information from a selected one of the input connections814 to the example playback device interface 804. The playback deviceinterface 804 provides the audio information to the audio playbackdevice 602 via the wired connection 614 and/or the wireless connection812.

In some embodiments, the audio information device 800 of FIG. 8 is anInternet-enabled television. In some such embodiments, the television iscapable of downloading applications, or apps, which can be specializedsoftware capable of performing specific functions. In other suchembodiments, the television is provided with firmware stored on a memoryand to be executed by a processor, the firmware to implement one or moreof the user input interface 802, the playback device interface 804, thevolume controller 806, and/or the input selector 808.

While the example audio playback device 602 and audio information source604 have been illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, one or more of theinterfaces, data structures, elements, processes and/or devicesillustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 can be combined, divided, re-arranged,omitted, eliminated and/or implemented in any way. Further, the exampleuser input interface 702, the example device interface 704, the examplesource selector 706, the example audio output device 708, the exampleuser input interface 802, the example playback device interface 804, theexample volume controller 806, the example input selector 808, and/ormore generally, the example audio playback device 602 and/or the exampleaudio information source 604 can be implemented by hardware, software,firmware and/or any combination of hardware, software and/or firmware.Thus, for example, any of the example user input interface 702, theexample device interface 704, the example source selector 706, theexample audio output device 708, the example user input interface 802,the example playback device interface 804, the example volume controller806, the example input selector 808, and/or more generally, the exampleaudio playback device 602 and/or the example audio information source604 could be implemented by one or more circuit(s), programmableprocessor(s), application specific integrated circuit(s) (ASIC(s)),programmable logic device(s) (PLD(s)) and/or field programmable logicdevice(s) (FPLD(s)), and so on.

When any apparatus claim of this patent is read to cover a purelysoftware and/or firmware implementation, at least one of the exampleuser input interface 702, the example device interface 704, the examplesource selector 706, the example audio output device 708, the exampleuser input interface 802, the example playback device interface 804, theexample volume controller 806, and/or the example input selector 808 arehereby expressly defined to include a computer readable medium such as amemory, DVD, CD, and so on, storing the software and/or firmware.Further still, the example audio playback device 602 and/or the exampleaudio information source 604 can include one or more elements, processesand/or devices in addition to, or instead of, those illustrated in FIGS.7 and 8, and/or can include more than one of any or all of theillustrated elements, processes and devices.

FIG. 9 shows a flowchart representative of an example method 900 tocontrol an audio information source such as a television. The examplemethod 900 of FIG. 9 begins with the audio information source (e.g., theaudio information source 604, 800 of FIGS. 6 and 8) sending audioinformation to an audio playback device (e.g., the audio playback device602 of FIG. 6) (block 902). In some embodiments, the audio informationsource 604 sends the audio information over a packet-based connection.In some embodiments, the audio information source 604 includes a deviceinterface (e.g., the device interface 804 of FIG. 8) to send themessages to the audio playback device 602 over a wired connection (e.g.,the wired connection 614) and/or a wireless connection (e.g., thewireless connection 812).

The example method 900 then determines (e.g., via the playback deviceinterface 804) whether a volume message is received from the playbackdevice (block 904). If a volume message has been received (block 904),the example volume controller 806 changes a volume setting based on thereceived volume message 906. For example, if the received volume messageis a mute message, the volume controller 806 changes the volume settingto a mute setting. Conversely, if the received volume message is anunmute message, the volume controller 806 changes the volume settingfrom a mute setting to a volume on (or unmute) setting.

The example method 900 can end and/or iterate after changing the volumesetting (block 906) or if no volume message has been received from theaudio playback device (block 904). In some embodiments, the examplemethod 900 is performed repeatedly in a polling manner when the audioinformation source 604 is sending audio information to an audio playbackdevice.

FIG. 10 shows a flowchart representative of an example method 1000 tocontrol an audio information source (e.g., the audio information sources604, 800 of FIGS. 6 and 8) for an audio playback device (e.g., the audioplayback devices 602, 700 of FIGS. 6 and 7). The example method 1000 ofFIG. 10 begins when the audio information source 604 is in a muted state(block 1002). For example, if the audio information source 604 is atelevision, the television is turned on and is displaying a videopicture but is not outputting audio information.

In some examples, the television may display a nag screen to the user toprovide information about the status of the television audio. Forexample, the television may display a nag screen with the word “mute”when the television is muted and/or when the television is outputtingaudio to the audio playback device 602 while speakers on the televisionare muted. In some other examples, the television does not display thenag screen even when the mute setting is activated. In some examples,the nag screen may display “Sound through External Speaker” when thetelevision is outputting audio information to the audio playback device602 (e.g., at the beginning of playback via the audio playback device602 and/or when the user adjusts the volume via the user input device(s)612, 618). Other nag screens may additionally or alternatively be usedto display information to the user via the television.

The example audio information source 604 determines (e.g., via the userinput interface 802 of FIG. 8) whether an unmute/volume up command hasbeen received from a user input device (block 1004). If an unmute/volumeup command has been received (block 1004), the example audio informationsource 604 (e.g., via the playback device interface 804) sends a sourcemessage to an audio playback device 602 (block 1006). In someembodiments, the source message causes the audio playback device 602 toselect a signal source to be the audio information source 604 sendingthe source message. The example audio information source 604 resumessending audio information to the audio playback device 602 (block 1008).For example, the input selector 808 receives input audio information,which the playback device interface 804 sends to the audio playbackdevice 602 in packets or other transmission form.

The example method 1000 can end and/or iterate after resuming sendingthe audio information to the audio playback device 602 (block 1008) orif no unmute/volume up command has been received (block 1004). In someembodiments, the example method 1000 is performed repeatedly in apolling manner when the audio information source 604 is in a mutedstate.

FIG. 11 shows a flowchart representative of an example method 1100 tocontrol a volume setting of an audio playback device (e.g., the audioplayback devices 602, 700 of FIGS. 6 and 7). The example method 1100 isperformed using the example audio information source 604 of FIG. 6,which is communicatively coupled to the example audio playback device602 via a wired connection 614. The method 1100 of FIG. 11 begins whenthe audio information source 604 is sending (e.g., via the playbackdevice interface 804 of FIG. 8) audio information to an audio playbackdevice (e.g., the audio playback device 602) (block 1102). In someembodiments, the audio information source 604 sends the audioinformation to the audio playback device 602 using packet-based messagescontaining audio information.

The example audio information source 604 determines (e.g., via the userinput interface 802 of FIG. 8) whether a volume up command has beenreceived from a user input device (block 1104). If a volume up commandhas been received (block 1104), the audio information source 604 sends(e.g., via the playback device interface 804) a volume up message to theaudio playback device 602 (block 1106).

The example audio information source 604 also determines whether avolume down command has been received from the user input device (block1108). If a volume down command has been received (block 1108), theaudio information source 604 sends a volume down message to the audioplayback device (block 1110).

The example audio information source 604 further determines whether amute command has been received from the user input device (block 1112).If a mute command has been received (block 1112), the example audioinformation source 604 sends a mute message to the audio playback device602 (block 1114).

In some embodiments, if any of the blocks 1104, 1108, 1112 determinethat a command has been received from a user input device, the otherones of the blocks 1104, 1108, 1112 are skipped and the method 1100 endsafter the respective block 1106, 1110, 1114 is performed in response todetermining that a command has been received at the block 1104, 1108,1112. For example, if the audio information source 604 receives a volumeup command from the user input device 618 (block 1104), the audioinformation source sends a volume up message to the audio playbackdevice (block 1106) and then skips blocks 1108-1114.

In the example of FIG. 11, the method 1100 can end and/or iterate aftersending a mute message to the audio playback device 602 (block 1114) orif no mute command has been received (block 1112). In some embodiments,the example method 1100 is performed repeatedly in a polling manner whenthe audio information source 604 is sending audio information to theaudio playback device 602.

FIG. 12 shows a flowchart representative of an example method 1200 tocontrol an audio playback device. The example method 1200 can be used toimplement the example audio playback device 602, 700 of FIGS. 6 and 7that is communicatively coupled to an audio information source 604 via awired connection 614 and/or a wireless connection 710. The examplemethod 1200 begins when the audio playback device 602 is receiving audioinformation from a network-based audio information source (block 1202).Example network-based audio information sources can include Internetsubscription music services, Internet radio services, audio fileslocated on a local area network and/or a wide area network, and so on.

The example audio playback device 602 generates audio signals based onaudio information received from the network-based audio informationsource (block 1204). For example, the audio output device 708 cangenerate acoustic and/or electrical signals representative of the audioinformation received from the network-based audio information source.The example audio playback device 602 determines (e.g., via the deviceinterface 704 of FIG. 7) whether a source message has been received fromthe audio information source 604 (block 1206). If a source message hasbeen received (block 1206), the example audio playback device 602changes (e.g., via the source selector 708) a signal source to the audioinformation source and begins receiving audio information from the audioinformation source (block 1208). As a result, the audio playback device602 stops playing the audio from the network-based audio informationsource.

The example audio playback device 602 determines (e.g., via the deviceinterface 704) whether a scene is triggered by the change of the signalsource to the audio information source (block 1210). For example, a usermay have programmed a scene in which changing a signal source of theaudio playback device 602 triggers a zone grouping in which the audioplayback device 602, the subwoofer 608, and the rear surround speakers610, 612 of FIG. 6 automatically configure themselves into a zone forthe playback of audio from the audio information source 604. If a sceneis triggered (block 1210), the example audio playback device 602configures the appropriate zone group(s) according to the scene settings(block 1212).

After configuring the zone group(s) according to the scene settings(block 1212), or if a scene is not triggered by the change in signalsource (block 1210), the audio playback device 602 generates audiosignals (e.g., acoustic and/or electrical signals representative of theaudio information) based on received audio information from the audioinformation source 604 (block 1214). To generate the audio signals, theexample device interface 704 and/or the example source selector 706 canprovide the audio information received from the audio information source604 to the audio output device 708.

The example method 1200 can end and/or iterate after generating audiosignals (block 1214) or if a source message has not been received (block1206). In some embodiments, the example method 1200 is performedrepeatedly in a polling manner when the audio playback device 602 isreceiving audio information from a network-based audio informationsource.

FIG. 13 shows a flowchart representative of another example method 1300to control an audio playback device. The example method 1300 can be usedto implement the example audio playback device 602, 700 of FIGS. 6 and 7that is communicatively coupled to an audio information source 604 via awired connection 614 and/or a wireless connection 710. The examplemethod 1300 of FIG. 13 begins when the audio playback device 602 isreceiving audio information from the audio information source 604 (block1302).

The example audio playback device 602 generates audio signals (e.g.,acoustic and/or electrical signals representative of the audioinformation) (block 1304). To generate the audio signals, the exampledevice interface 704 and/or the example source selector 706 of FIG. 7can provide the audio information received from the audio informationsource 604 to the audio output device 708. The audio playback device 602determines whether a source command has been received (e.g., via theuser input interface 702 of FIG. 7) from a user input device (e.g., theuser input device 612 of FIG. 6) (block 1306). For example, a user ofthe system 600 of FIG. 6 can select a network-based audio informationsource using the user input device 612, which sends the source commandto the audio playback device 602. If a source command has been receivedfrom the user input device 612, the audio playback device 602 changes asignal source to a network-based audio information source selected bythe user (block 1308). The audio playback device 602 also sends (e.g.,via the device interface 704) a volume message to the audio informationsource 704 (block 1310). In some embodiments, the volume message causesthe audio information source 704 to change a volume setting to a mutestate and/or to power down the audio information source 704.

The example method 1300 can end and/or iterate after sending the volumemessage (block 1310) or if a source command has not been received (block1306). In some embodiments, the example method 1300 is performedrepeatedly in a polling manner when the audio playback device 602 isreceiving audio information from the audio information source 604.

FIG. 14 shows a state diagram 1400 representative of instructions tocontrol an example system to play back audio from an audio informationsource via an audio playback device. The example state diagram 1400shows multiple states 1402—and transitions of a system such as thesystem 600 of FIG. 6, which includes an audio information source 604communicatively coupled to an audio playback device 602 via a wiredconnection 614. The example state diagram 1400 of FIG. 14 will bedescribed herein with reference to an Internet-enabled television (theaudio information source 604) connected to a zone player (the audioplayback device 602). In the example, in addition to the television asan audio information source, the zone player also has access to anetwork-based source of music. However, the state diagram 1400 can bemodified from the illustrated embodiment based on using differenttype(s) of audio playback devices 602 and/or audio information source604.

The state diagram 1400 of FIG. 14 also shows different transitions1416-1428, 1432-1442, which result from user interactions with theexample audio playback device 602 and/or the example audio informationsource 604. For example, the transitions 1418, 1422, 1424, 1426, 1442result from a user interacting with the audio information source 604 viathe user input device 618, while the transitions 1416, 1420, 1428, 1432,1434, 1436, 1438, 1440 result from a user interacting with the audioplayback device 602 via the user input device 612.

At a first time, the example television is on and is in an unmuted state(state 1402). In the unmuted state, the example zone player is receivingaudio information from the television and is outputting the audioinformation as acoustic signals. From the state 1402, the user can inputa mute command using either the user input device 612 (transition 1416)or the user input device 618 (transition 1418). In the state 1404, thetelevision is on and is in a muted state. From the state 1404, the usercan input an unmute command (e.g., unmute, volume up, volume down, andso on) using either the user input device 612 (transition 1420) or theuser input device 618 (transition 1422) to return to state 1402.

From either of the states 1402, 1404, the user can input a televisionpower command (e.g., power off) (transition 1424) to cause thetelevision to power down, moving into a television off state 1406. Fromthe state 1406, the user can input a television power command (e.g.,power-on) (transition 1426) to cause the television to power on, movinginto the state 1402. During the states 1402, 1404, 1406, the zone playerhas the television selected as a signal source. In some embodiments, thezone player enters a power off state, a sleep state, or an inactivestate when a selected signal source is in a power off state, a sleepstate, and/or an inactive state.

From any of the states 1402, 1404, 1406, the user can input a sourcecommand (e.g., select source—music) via the user input device 612(transition 1428). The example transition 1428 causes the zone player tosend a volume message to the television and to select a different signalsource such as a network-based music source. From the example states1402, 1404 in which the television is on, the zone player can beprovided with a setting 1430 that instructs the zone player what type ofmessage to send to the television. In a first configuration (transition1432), the zone player setting 1430 causes the zone player to issue avolume message (e.g., a mute message) to the television, causing thetelevision to change to a muted volume setting at state 1410. In asecond configuration (transition 1434), the zone player setting 1430causes the zone player to issue a power off message to the television,causing the television to power off to a state 1412.

In the example state 1410, the zone player plays music from anetwork-based music source and the television is on and has a mutedvolume setting. From the state 1410, the user can input a pause command(transition 1436) to the zone player via the user input device 612 tochange to the state 1408. In the example state 1408, the zone player haspaused the music, although the zone player has not selected a differentsignal source, and the television is on and has a muted volume setting.The user can input an unpause command (transition 1438) to the zoneplayer via the user input device 612 to change to the state 1410.

From either of the states 1408, 1410, the user can cause the zone playerto select the television as the audio information source and change tothe state 1402. In a first example method, the user can select thetelevision as the audio information source for the zone player using theuser input device 612 (transition 1440). In response, the example zoneplayer selects the television as the audio information source and sendsa volume message to the television to cause the television to unmute orincrease volume. The television changes its volume setting based on thevolume message so that the television is on and does not have a mutedvolume setting. The television begins and/or resumes transmitting audioinformation to the zone player, which plays back the audio. In a secondexample method, the user can send a volume command (e.g., unmute, volumeup, volume down) to the television using the user input device 618(transition 1442). The example television responds to the command bychanging its volume setting and sending a source message to the zoneplayer, which changes a signal source to the television and beingsplaying audio information received from the television.

From the states 1408, 1410, the user can use the user input device 618to issue a TV off command to the television (transition 1424). From thestate 1408, the transition 1424 results in a change to the state 1414,in which the television is powered off and the music playback by thezone player is stopped. From the state 1410, the transition 1424 resultsin a change to the state 1412, in which the zone player is playing backthe music and the television is powered off. From the example state1412, the user can input a pause command (transition 1436) to the zoneplayer via the user input device 612 to change to the state 1414. Fromthe example state 1414, the user can input an unpause command(transition 1438) to the zone player via the user input device 612 tochange to the state 1412.

From either of the states 1412, 1414, the user can change to the state1402. The example state diagram 1400 assumes that when the user powersthe television on from an off state, the user wishes to play back theaudio information from the television via the zone player. However, thisexample assumption can be modified, user-configurable, and/or omitted.In a first example method, the user inputs a power-on command to thetelevision via the user input device 618 (transition 1426). The exampletelevision responds to the power-on command by powering on and sending asource message to the zone player. The zone player responds to thesource message by selecting the television as the signal source andplaying back audio information received from the television. In a secondexample method, the user inputs a source command to the zone player viathe user input device 612 (transition 1440). The example zone playerresponds to the source command by sending a power-on message to thetelevision (which in some embodiments receives the message from alow-power state rather than a completely powered-down state) andselecting the television as the audio information source. The televisionresponds to the power-on message by changing to a powered-on state andtransmitting audio information to the zone player (e.g., based on aninput source).

While an example state diagram 1400 is described above, the statediagram 1400 can be modified to reflect different assumptions of userdesires in behavior of the system. In some embodiments, the statediagram 1400 is modifiable by the user by changing settings and/orconfigurations of the audio playback device 602 and/or the audioinformation source 604. One such example setting is the setting 1430,which permits the user to configure how the television of theillustrated example is to respond to the transition 1428 from the states1402, 1404.

In view of the foregoing, it should be apparent that disclosed examplesystems, methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture can be used tocontrol audio playback devices. Some example systems, methods,apparatus, and articles of manufacture advantageously allow for simplercontrol of an audio system, including an audio playback device and anaudio information source, from the perspective of a user of the system.In some such examples, the user of the system can control the playbackof audio using any of multiple user input devices that can be configuredto communicate with different elements of the system. Some examplesystems, methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture disclosedherein permit the user of an audio system including an audio playbackdevice and an audio information source to control the audio volume andaudio input source using a user input device that is configured tocommunicate with the audio information source but is not configured tocommunicate with the audio playback device.

Example systems, methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacturedisclosed herein maintain a consistent volume when changing betweendifferent audio information sources, where one or more of the differentaudio information sources have independent and/or different volumesettings.

Various inventions have been described in sufficient detail with acertain degree of particularity. It is understood to those skilled inthe art that the present disclosure of embodiments has been made by wayof examples only and that numerous changes in the arrangement andcombination of parts can be resorted without departing from the spiritand scope of the present disclosure as claimed. While the embodimentsdiscussed herein can appear to include some limitations as to thepresentation of the information units, in terms of the format andarrangement, the embodiments have applicability well beyond suchembodiment, which can be appreciated by those skilled in the art.Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is defined by theappended claims rather than the forgoing description of embodiments.

We claim:
 1. An audio playback device, comprising: an audio outputdevice to generate audio signals based on a signal source; a deviceinterface to receive a first message from a first audio informationsource; and a source selector to change the signal source from a secondaudio information source to the first audio information source based onthe first message.
 2. An audio playback device as defined in claim 1,further comprising a user input interface to receive a first commandfrom a user input device, the device interface to send a second messageto the first audio information source based on the command.
 3. An audioplayback device as defined in claim 2, wherein the source selector is tochange the signal source from the first audio information source to thesecond audio information source in response to the command, and thesecond message is to include a mute command.
 4. An audio playback deviceas defined in claim 1, wherein the device interface is to receive asecond message from the first audio information source when the signalsource is the first audio information source, the second message beingbased on a command from a user input device configured to communicatewith the first audio information source and including a volume command,the audio output device to change a volume of the audio signals based onthe second message.
 5. An audio playback device as defined in claim 1,wherein the device interface is to send a third message to at least oneadditional playback device based on the second message.
 6. An audioplayback device as defined in claim 1, wherein the first message isbased on a command from a user input device configured to communicatewith the first audio information source.
 7. An audio playback device asdefined in claim 6, wherein the command is at least one of a power-oncommand or a volume command.
 8. An audio playback device as defined inclaim 1, wherein the device interface is to communicate with the firstaudio information source and the second audio information source via atleast one of a wired network or a wireless network.
 9. An audio playbackdevice as defined in claim 1, wherein the device interface is to sendaudio information associated with the signal source to at least oneadditional playback device.
 10. An audio playback device as defined inclaim 1, wherein the first audio information source is a television andthe device interface is to communicate with the television via apacket-based connection.
 11. An audio playback device as defined inclaim 1, wherein the second audio information source is a network-basedsource of digital audio information.
 12. A system comprising an audiooutput device in communication with a television, the audio outputdevice to selectively receive first audio information from thetelevision, to generate first audio signals at a first volume settingbased on the first audio information, to receive a first message fromthe television based on a user input to the television, and to generatesecond audio signals at a second volume setting different from the firstvolume setting based on the first audio information and based on thefirst message.
 13. A system as defined in claim 12, wherein thetelevision is to generate the message based on the user input, themessage comprising a volume command.
 14. A system as defined in claim12, wherein the television and the audio output device are coupled via alocal area network and the message is a packet-based network message.15. A system as defined in claim 12, wherein the audio output device isto receive a command from a user input device configured to communicatewith the audio output device, generate third audio signals based onsecond audio information from a network-based audio information source,and transmit a second message to the television, the television tochange a volume setting based on the second message.
 16. A system asdefined in claim 15, wherein the audio output device is to generate thethird audio signals to have substantially the same volume immediatelyfollowing a change in an audio information source from the television tothe network-based audio information source as the volume immediatelypreceding the change in the audio information source.
 17. A method,comprising: receiving first audio information from a first audio source;generating first audio signals based on the first audio information viaa playback device; receiving a first message from a second audio source;and generating second audio signals based on second audio informationfrom the second audio source in response to receiving the first message.18. A method as defined in claim 17, further comprising receiving thesecond audio information via a packet-based message.
 19. A method asdefined in claim 17, further comprising receiving a second message basedon a command from a first user input device associated with the secondaudio source, and adjusting a volume setting of the playback devicebased on the second message.
 20. A method as defined in claim 17,further comprising receiving a source command from a first user inputdevice associated with the playback device and transmitting a secondmessage to the second audio source to cause the first audio source toadjust the audio information.